Search This Blog

Monday, February 18, 2008

Totally Lost in Translation

A new security system was just installed in our office building. To regulate entry, all tenants were issued individual access cards which automatically open the door when swiped through a machine.

We were not notified early on as regards the changes. So, with many other concerns to discuss, we went to the building administrator. It turned out that he only speaks Japanese.

We tried our best to understand what he was trying to convey. My officemate has been here for ten years but his Japanese is at best, conversational. Me? Nada. I knew no Nihonggo and all I could do was try to decipher the person's hand and body language.

To aid the conversation, the building administrator brought out his laptop and there punched sentences in Japanese. The software was supposed to provide translations.

But it turned out to be of no help. We had exchanges through the computer but it was painfully difficult to reach common ground. Frustrated, we just begged for leave and just return with a Japanese speaking companion some other time.

Here’s a sample of how the translation went. The landlord gave this to us for “guidance”.

“About the unlocking of an entrance

When entering from outside, it enters with the card to hand over.

But to lend but one sheet of the card is free of charge.

Since it, one sheet of issue commissions of 3,000 yen depend.

It requests this of another company and it takes time little to being published.

When desired give news.”

I have resolved to learn Nihonggo as fast I could. Until then, I guess I would need to have a more discerning mind to uncover the meanings hidden under the mishmash of words that technology calls translations. Wish me luck.

Oh this reminds me of some Tagalog jokes my family shares, and we all know my Tagalog is TERRIBLE, but my family will all be laughing and I won't get it. Then they translate and I say, "HUH?" And then they just say, "Something just gets lost in the translation!" It's funny anyways!!

reminds me of the japanese or korean stationaries my classmates in elementary used to buy and trade... weird english lines like- fabulous dreams in tomato or-something-to-that-effect... good luck sa iyo =]

whoa, naalala ko tuloy when i did some esl teaching sa koreans dun sa skul nila dad. xD when they really can't understand what we are trying to say and vice-versa we end up trying to draw it na lang. haha.